diff --git a/electrum/gui/qt/__init__.py b/electrum/gui/qt/__init__.py
index 4fdb1b52e..7557f0ecf 100644
--- a/electrum/gui/qt/__init__.py
+++ b/electrum/gui/qt/__init__.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ from PyQt5.QtWidgets import *
 from PyQt5.QtCore import *
 import PyQt5.QtCore as QtCore
 
-from electrum.i18n import _, set_language, get_default_language
+from electrum.i18n import _, set_language
 from electrum.plugin import run_hook
 from electrum.storage import WalletStorage
 from electrum.base_wizard import GoBack
diff --git a/electrum/gui/qt/util.py b/electrum/gui/qt/util.py
index 50ed0a5c3..804a99078 100644
--- a/electrum/gui/qt/util.py
+++ b/electrum/gui/qt/util.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ from PyQt5.QtGui import *
 from PyQt5.QtCore import *
 from PyQt5.QtWidgets import *
 
-from electrum.i18n import _
+from electrum.i18n import _, languages
 from electrum.util import FileImportFailed, FileExportFailed
 from electrum.paymentrequest import PR_UNPAID, PR_PAID, PR_EXPIRED
 
@@ -812,6 +812,11 @@ class IconCache:
         return self.__cache[file_name]
 
 
+def get_default_language():
+    name = QLocale.system().name()
+    return name if name in languages else 'en_UK'
+
+
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     app = QApplication([])
     t = WaitingDialog(None, 'testing ...', lambda: [time.sleep(1)], lambda x: QMessageBox.information(None, 'done', "done"))
diff --git a/electrum/i18n.py b/electrum/i18n.py
index bb4a2da59..9c6fad995 100644
--- a/electrum/i18n.py
+++ b/electrum/i18n.py
@@ -26,8 +26,6 @@ import os
 
 import gettext
 
-from PyQt5.QtCore import QLocale
-
 LOCALE_DIR = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), 'locale')
 language = gettext.translation('electrum', LOCALE_DIR, fallback=True)
 
@@ -43,11 +41,6 @@ def set_language(x):
         language = gettext.translation('electrum', LOCALE_DIR, fallback=True, languages=[x])
 
 
-def get_default_language():
-    system_locale = QLocale.system().name()
-    return languages.get(system_locale, 'en_UK')
-
-
 languages = {
     '': _('Default'),
     'ar_SA': _('Arabic'),